Lift for deep well hydraulic pumps



Jan. 27, 1953 E. M. KNUDSON 2,626,569

LIFT FOR DEEP WELL HYDRAULIC PUMPS 7 Filed Oct. 5, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet 1Switch 22 lax 5 3 9 a 5 M7 4 5 5 H1 5 I 5 a 5 I 5 I 5 I A 5 Q 5 I 5 I 55 5 2 4 a L W8 2 5 5 5 I 5 a g 5 5 5 5 F 5 I 5 1| 5 I 5 m f I 5 5 I Ii 5g 5 w HD z j I I 5 I 5 5. 5 -"\0 5 5 5 la 5 4 Fig. 2

IN VEN TOR.

ATWRNEYS,

Jan. 27, 1953 E. M. KNUDSON LIFT FOR DEEP WELL HYDRAULIC PUMPS 4Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed 061?. 5, 1946 57 Fig; E.N.KNu0soN INVENTOR.

BY *FC 6f.

ATTOR N EYE.

Jan. 27, 1953 E. M. KNUDSON 2,626,569

LIFT FOR DEEP WELL HYDRAULIC PUMPS Filed Oct. s, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet 471 E,N,KNUD6ON Fig.

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Patented Jan. 27, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT orrica LIFT FOR DEEP WELLHYDRAULIC PUMPS Elmo M. Knudsen, Houston, Tex. v Application October 3,1946, Serial No. 701,023

7 Claims. 1

The invention relates to a pump which is particularly adapted for deepwells to effect the elevation of the well liquid.

It is one of the objects 01 the invention to provide a deep well pumpwherein the application and withdrawal of a pressure liquid serves toactuate a diaphragm so as to discharge and draw in a charge of wellliquid.

Another object of the invention is to provide an elongated cylindricaldiaphragm having an inherent resiliency which will encourage the entryof a charge of well liquid thereinto.

Another object of the invention is to elevate well liquid by thecollapse of a cylindrical diaphragm due to the application of hydraulicpressure thereto.

- Another object is to provide a submersible motor and hydraulic pump incombination with a cylindrical flexible chamber to be filled by a wellliquid due to the submergence thereof below the level of the wellliquid.

Still another object is to provide a cylindrical pumping chamber to becollapsed by hydraulic pressure in order to expell well liquidtherefrom.

Another object is to efiect a pumping action to elevate well liquid byapplying a hydraulic pressure to the exterior of a cylindrical pumpingmember.

Still another object is to apply an actuating liquid to the exterior ofa cylindrical diaphragm so as to efiect collapse thereof in elevating awell liquid and to withdraw such pressure to encourage the entrance of acharge of well liquid to be expelled by the return surge of suchactuating liquid.

Another object is to provide a cylindrical diaphragm in a well pumpassembly in combination with upper and lower standing valves so that theresiliency of the diaphragm will aid in the entry of a charge of wellliquid due to the submergence of the pumps and by a vacuum created bythe rotary pump, or both, and to thereafter discharge such sample uponthe collapse of the diaphragm from an exterior liquid pressure.

Another object is to provide'for a straight line flow of well liquidthrough a deep well diaphragm pump.

Another object is to provide a pair of cylindrical concentric chambersin a well pump where the inner chamber has a flexible wall subject tocollapse due to pressure liquid in the outer chamber.

Another object is to provide a plurality of 2 phragm pumps in a wellbore to elevate the well liquid by stage pumping.

Another object is to provide a submersible switch connection for deepwell pumps so as to actuate or reverse a hydraulic pump operation.

Another object is'to effect a surging action in a deep well hydraulicpump due to diflerential pressure on the inside and outside of adiaphragm construction.

Another object is to provide a control switch .i'or a deep wellhydraulic surge diaphragm pump wherein the switch operation is afunction of the pressure applied to the diaphragm.

Another object is to provide a control of cycle operation by a surfaceclock for actuating and reversing motor.

Another object is to provide a deep well diaphragm pump actuated by abody of power liquid drawn from and returned to a reservoir in the well.

Another object is to provide a flexible cylindrical diaphragm in a welltubing in combination with a housing thereabout so that upon theapplication of pressure to the exterior of the diaphragm, a pumpingaction is obtained.

A still further object is to incorporate a flexible portion in a welltubing in combination with a pair of check valves at the ends thereof,so that the collapse and expansion to the portion will effect a pumpingaction.

Other and further objects of the invention will be readily apparent whenthe'following description is considered in connection with theaccompanying drawings wherein: v

Figs. 1 and 2 when taken together show a side elevation of a wellequipped with a pump assembly embodying the invention;

Fig. 3 is a broken vertical sectional view of the top of the assemblyand showing the control switch;

Fig. 4 is a transverse section taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 5 is a transverse section taken on the line I 5-5 of Fig. '7;

Fig. 6 is a broken sectional view taken on the line 6--6 01 Fig. 3; and

Fig. 7 is a broken vertical sectional view which is a continuation ofFig. 3 and showing the pump ing chamber and diaphragm;

P 8. 8 is a broken vertical sectional view which is a continuation 01'Fig. 7 and showing the lower end of the pump.

Fig. 9 is a transverse section showing the structure to permit flow pastthe standing valve, and spaced hydraulically operable cylindricaldiataken on the line 9-4 of P18. 8.

Fig. is awiring diagram of an electrical control circuit.

Fig. 11 is a broken sectional view showing a modified arrangement ofelectrical control due to diilerential pressure.

Figs. 1 and 2 taken together show a combination assembly for theproduction of the well liquid such as oil. Such an arrangement isparticularly adapted for a deep well and it is to be understood that theinvention may be applied to wells where there may be a plurality ofpumping stages or a single pumping assembly may be positioned in thewell.

In Fig. 1 the casing 2 extends into the well and has the lower pumpingunit 2 supported by a tubing 4 below the packer I which is in turnpositioned by a tubing I connected to the upper pumping assembly I. Theupper tubing extends to the surface.

As the oil or liquid being produced ilows into the well, it will rise inthe chamber l| around the lower unit 2 and in this manner form areservoir for liquid to be pumped. The packer I closes the casing.

The discharge from the lower pumping assem- I bly 2 moves up through thetubing 4 and discharges from the outlet i2 into the upper reservoir ilin the casing above the packer I which forms a barrier to prevent thedown flow of liquid elevated thereabove by the unit 2. Such liquid willbe drawn in by the pumping unit at 22 and elevated to the surfacethrough the upper tubing where it is discharged to a pipe line storageor separator.

Figs. 3, 7 and 8 when taken end to end form a continuous verticalsectional view of one of the pumping units such as the unit 2 of Fig. 2.Such unit is made up of the housing ll closed by a plug N and whichcarries the lower end of the tubing 4 which is adjustably positioned bymeans of the collars i1 and [l which form a seal with the plug II. Inthis manner, the housing II is entirely closed and it supports thepumping mechaninn. The pumping mechanism is made up of the motor 2| andpump 2| shown in the base of the housing llatthebottomofl'isJ.'Ihispumpisreversible, the electric motor receiving its current from thewiring circuit 2i which extends into the well through a cable 22.

Fig. 3 shows a plurality of conductors extending to the motor and thesemay be either three, four, five. or six in number. depending upon thesize and type and operation of the motor.

Any desired type of control switch for themotormaybeusedandwillbelaterdescribed.

Thepumpasseeninligsisarrangedfor operation so as to discharge upwardlythrough the conduits 22 into the power liquid chamber 22.Theliquidisdrawnintothepumpthroughan opening 2| from the actuatingliquid reservoir 2| inside of the housing ll.

Whenthemotorisreversedofcoursethentheliquidiswithdrawnfromthepowerliquidchambu2|throughtheconduits22anddischargedintotheopeningflbackintothereservoirfl'.Inotherwordawhenthemotoroperateainonedirectiomitpurnpstheliquidintothepower liquid chamber and when reversed,it withdraws the liquid from such power liquid chamber.

ThepumpingportionoftheassemblyisbestseeninFig.7andincludesthepipeorhousing2|whiehformsthewallofthepumpchamber. Thiswal12|otthehomingisarrangedtosupportabarrier2|whichinturnsupportstheupper endoftheinletpipeflthroughwhichthewell liquidisdrawnintothepmnpingassembl y. 'lhe inletopening 2| allows such entry and the check valve 2| prevents a returnflow of the liquid when pressure is applied in the power liquid chamber.In order to accommodate for expansion and prevent fiuid loss. the upperend of the pipe 21 has the packing 2| thereon to form a seal inside thenipple 22.

The pumping operation is performed by the collapse and expansion of acylindrical diaphragm 22 whose ends 22 and u are anchored in the nipples22 and 2| respectively. The nipple 2| is the inlet nipple to receive theflow of well liquid from the pipe 2]. It has a plurality of openings 21therein which act more or less to prevent extruding into the chamber innipple 2| of the diaphragm and to allow the passage of liquid into theinterior chamber 2| known as the diaphragm chamber; The upper nipple 2|is of similar construction and dischargm into the outlet pipe 4| whichcarries a standing valve ll which is seen in the lower end of Pig. 3.

The passage 42 extends upwardly from the valvellwhichjoinsintothetubingleothatthe liquid is elevated either to thesurface or to the next stage of the pumping assembly such as the unit Iin Fig. 1.

Particular attention is directed to the diaphragm 22. This diaphragm iscylindrical and mayhaveasubstantiallengthsothatitmaybe collapsed due tothe pressure or power of actuating liquid which is forced into the powerliquid chamber 22. This pressure through the barrierlsasseeninl'lgbexertedonthediaphragm causes the collapse thereof and thewell liquid inside of the diaphragm is prevented from escapin downwardlyby the check valve 2| so that it will be forced upwardly through andinto the tubing. The control and time of the pump canbeadjustedasdesiredandwillbesuchthatapredetermined pressure differentialwill be applied to the power liquid chamber 22 and diaphragm memberacross the diaphragm in order to collapse and permit expansion of thediaphragm. When the diiferential pressure of 22 over 2| builds up to thepredetermined amount. the pumpcontrolswitcheswillbeactuatedsoastoreverse the direction of the motor orto reverse the pumping operation. The liquid present in the pump chamber2| is withdrawn upon reversal of thepmnpsoastorelievethepressurewhichcoilapsed the diaphragm from theoutside. The diaphragm. beingofaresilientmaterialwillhaveaninherentresiliencywhichtendstoreturnittoitsnormalcylindriealconfigurationasseeninl lg'lsothat itwilltendtoexpandwhentheprmureon the outside of the diaphragm 22 is relieved.

In view of the posifloning of the pumping unit2belowtheheadofoilinthewellorcasing.the Pressure of such column of oilcauses the oil to flowintothechamber-II. 'Ihereisthusadifferentialprasure across the diaphragm 22 and this diiferential can be used tocontrol the operation or cycle as will be later described. Thecontrolmaybeadiustedtoevendrawavaeuumin the chamber 22 if desired.

The liquid which has been theretoiore discharged is retained in thetubing above the diaphragm by the check valve II. when sumcienttimehaselapsedtoadmittheliquidtosetupthenecasarydiflerentiabthepumpisagainreversedbythecontrolmechanismandtheeyclc repeated by applyins Pressure in the powerliquid chamber 2|.

Thetimingcycleofthemotorcanbearrangedinaecordaneewiththewellconditionssndpmnp H The anomaly is entirely en- 4closed and the operationsis simple and emcient. One form of the controlmechanism is best seen in Figs. 3 and 6 and includes the Bourdon tubes48 and 48, both of which are connected to a yoke contact member 41 sothat any movement thereof will be due to the differential pressureexisting between the two tubes; The Bourdon tubes, as is well known, arehollow curved tubes of a relative thin material which tends tostraighten out when pressure is applied therein. The tube 48 isconnected to a conduit or passage 88 which as seen in Fig. 3 extendsdownwardly through the body member 5! and into the area 52 as seen inthe top of Fig. 7 which area forms the upper portion ofthe power liquidchamber 23 by virtue of the opening 58 in the top barrier 84. Thus anypressure existingin the pump chamber would be reflected by the movementof the Bourdon tube 48- so that the contact member 41 would mov intoengagement with the switch 48. This switch is arranged in a'circuit 85which extends to the surface through the conduit 22 and is connectedwith the motor switch in the switch box 88 on the surface. Thus when thepressure in the pump chamber builds up to a predetermined extent, in

ply current to the reactor 18.

accordance with the adjustment of the control mechanism, the motorswitch will be reversed so as to reverse the pump and consequentlyreverse the flow of pressure liquid from the pump.

The Bourdon tube 46 is connected into a con- .duitli best seen in Figs.3 and 6 and is shown as extending into a groove and into the outlet pipe48. This tube will thus reflect the pressure which is present in thechamber 88 inside of the diaphragm 82. In other words, when the pump isreversed and the pressure liquid withdrawn from the pump chamber 23, thepressure in the diaphragm chamber to which this Bourdon tube isconnected will be substantially reduced.

When the pressure inside of the diaphragm is reduced below the pressurecaused by the column of oil in the casing outside of the pumping unit,then of course the lower standing valve 29 will open and the wellpressure will move into the diaphragm chamber. It will be understoodthat this well pressure is substantial because of the fact that the pumpunit 3, Fig. 2, is immersed below the static head of the column of oilin the casing. This pressure moving into the diaphragm chamber 38 willbe reflected in the bourdon tube 48 causing a straightening thereof andthe movement of the yoke contact member upwardly until it engages theswitch 48. It will be remembered that the tube 45 is meanwhilecontracting due to the withdrawal of the pressure liquid from the pumpchamber.

It seems obvious that the adjustment of the heads on the contact yokemember 41 can be arranged so as-to obtain the reversing of the motor atthe desired difierential pressure which is always below the pressure atwhich the diaphragm 32 would be extended beyond its elastic limit.

Fig. 11 shows a modified form of the arrangement of Fig. 6 where theswitches 48 and 49 have been dispensed with and a variable reactor I8arranged to receive the core member H which is in turn connected at 12to the yoke member 41. Movement of this core member will determine thecontrol of the motor switches at the surface in the switch box 88.

A circuit for accomplishing desired control when using this form of theinvention is shown schematically in Fig. 10 at I5. This circuit includesa transformer I8 at the surface through which energy is supplied to abridge circuit 11,

Before operation begins, the variable resistor 8| must be adjusted toequal the resistance of the control circuit between the controller orswitch box 58 and the reactor 18. A reactor 82 in series with theresistor 8| is manually adjusted to the proper operating point.Operation is then as follows:

The operator presses the start button 82 to energize the relay 83 whichis then maintained closed by the normally open contact 84. Anothernormally open-contact 85 also closes to ener ize the transformer 16.When the bridge circuit 11 is in a balanced condition, no current flowsthrough the rectifier I8 and the coil of the relay 18 of which thecontacts remain normally closed. The contacts 88 are energized throughthe normally closed contacts 88' of the relay 1!. The forward" coil 81of the motor starter is energized through another normally opencontact88 and in this manner the motor 28 is energized in the forwarddirection.

As the conditions change in the hydraulic circuit until the Bourdontubes 45 and 46 move the core 1| suiilcient to unbalance the bridgecircuit 1], such unbalance causes current to flow in the relay .18whereupon its normally open contact 18' will close to energize thereverse relay indicated at 89. Relay 19 being located on the surface maybe adjusted to operate at any desired differential pressure. Thenormally closed contact 98 will open to de-energize the contacts 86 and88 whereby current is supplied to the motor 28 to eiiect rotationthereof in the reverse direction.

It thus seems apparent that asthe core H is caused to move in oppositedirections, the motor 28 will be energized to rotate in proper directionto effect desired sequence in operation.

The operation of the device may be terminated at any time by pressingthe stop button 8|, however,. if a parts failure prevents the pump fromcoming to the adjusted difierential pressure, a time relay 92 isprovided in the control circuit to operate the relay '84 at any timerotation of the motor in a given direction has exceeded a predeterminedtime interval;

Broadly the invention contemplates an automatically operating diaphragmpump for wells.

What is claimed is:

1. A deep well hydraulic pump including a. well tubing for the flow ofthe well liquid being produced, a normally cylindrical resilientflexible diaphragm member sealed, an inlet and an outlet valve for saidmember to provide a diaphragm chamber, therein, and hydraulic pump meansto alternately compress and allow expansion of said diaphragm todischarge liquid from and draw into such diaphragm a charge of liquidfrom the well being pumped respectively, said hydraulic means includinga reservoir adjacent the diaphragm member, connections to a cylinderabout said diaphragm for power liquid from said reservoir, an electricmotor and power liquid rotary pump in one of produced, a normallyresilient flexible diaphragm member therein, an inlet valve and anoutlet valve for said member to provide a pump chamber and sealedhydraulic pump means to alternately compress and allow expansion of saiddiaphragm to discharge liquid from and draw into such diaphragm a chargeof liquid from the well being pumped respectively, said hydraulic meansincluding a reservoir adjacent the diaphragm member, connections to acylinder about said diaphragm for power liquid from said reservoir, anelectric motor and power liquid rotary pump in one of said connections.switch means operable by the pressure of such power liquid and pressurein said pump member to alternate current to reverse said motor and pumpto etl'ect the pumping of power liquid into or out of said reservoir,said switch means in turn including a pair of Bourdon tubes or bellows.a rocker yoke connected thereto, and contact members operable by saidyoke.

3. In a deep well diaphragm surge pump including a submersiblereversible electric motor, a reversible rotary power liquid pump, areservoir for power liquid connected to said pump, a power cylinderconnected to said pump, a diaphragm to be compressed in said cylinder bythe power liquid, and inlet and outlet valves for said cylinder so as topump well liquid upon drawing in another charge of liquid from the wellbelow the pump, an electric switch means to reverse said motor as afunction of the pressure in said power cylinder and within saiddiaphragm.

4. A pump for wells including a tubing, a reservoir thereon for powerliquid, a normally resilient cylindrical diaphragm, a housing therefor,an electric motor and a power liquid pump connected to said reservoirand housing, said diaphragm comprising a flow passage for well liquid tosaid tubing, inlet and outlet check valves for said diaphragm, andswitch means operable as a function of the diilerential pressure acrosssaid diaphragm to reverse said motor and pump to alternately pump powerliquid into said housing to compress said diaphragm to discharge wellliquid and to draw out power liquid to allow the diaphragm to expand toallow entry of well liquid.

5. A deep well pump including a submersible reversible electric motor, areversible rotary so power liquid pump, a reservoir for power liquidconnected to said pump, a power cylinder connected to said pump. adiaphragm to becompressed in said cylinder by the power liquid. inletand outlet diaphragm valve for the well liquid so as to pump wellliquid. an electric switch means to reverse saidmotor as a function ofthe pressure diiierential of power liquid and well liquid in diaphragm.

6. A pump for wells including a pump chamber in the well, .a tubulardiaphragm therein. means to admit and allow discharge of well liquid tothe inside of said diaphragm, an actuating liquid on the outside. meansto cause a flow of such actuating liquid into and out of said chamber,and additional means to control said first means which additional meansh operable from the top of the well and includes a switch in the pumpwhich moves as a function of the diiferential pressure across saiddiaphragm.

7. A pump for wells including a pump chamber in the well, a tubulardiaphragm therein, means to admit and allow discharge of well liquid tothe inside of said diaphragm. an actuating liquid on the outside of saiddiaphragm. pump means to cause a flow of such actuating liquid into andout of said chamber. and additional means to control said first meanswhich additional means is operable from the top of the well as afunction of the diiferential pressure across said diaphragm. saidcontrol means being adjustable to maintain a minimum operatingdiil'erential.

ELMO M. KNUDBON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,851,666 Evans Mar. 29, 19322,048,491 Scott July '1, 1936 2,190,993 Kidder Apr. 16, 1940 2,404,524Norton July 23, 1948 2,435,179 llcGovney Jan. 2'7, 1949 2,455,022Schmidt Nov. 30, 1949 2,489,506 Schmidt Nov. 29, 1949 IORIIGN PATENTSNumber Country Date 287,267 Great Britain Mar. 22, 1929

